Controversial moves towards an official “censor” to vet television programmes for extremist content are being considered by David Cameron, Downing Street revealed today.

Broadcasters were outraged by a plan they said harked back to the days of blank screens when programmes were banned.

Leaked correspondence revealed a Cabinet battle over the plans, which were dubbed “authoritarian” by critics. Former Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said it would be “a fundamental shift” turning TV regulator Ofcom from “a post-transmission regulator into the role of a censor”.

Mrs May is understood to be concerned that radicals are using TV interviews to promote extremism. New Culture Secretary John Whittingdale is thought by colleagues to be wary of the idea.

But Mr Cameron’s official spokesman said: “This is an area that needs to be considered. That is what is going to happen.”

Stewart Purvis, former editor-in-chief of ITN who went on to work at Ofcom, said it would be like “going back to the days when there were black screens because broadcasters had programmes banned”.

Mrs May hinted at taking new powers after the broadcast of an interview with radical Islamic Anjem Choudary shortly after the murder in Woolwich of Private Lee Rigby. There was no comment on the letter, leaked to the Guardian, from the Home Office, Mrs May, Mr Javid or Mr Whittingdale.